A Quilt for Piper

A Quilt for Piper
If it’s on the floor and it’s soft, Maggie must sit on it!

This quilt has been a long time in the making.  I started out with the idea several months ago. Riley and Piper loved the name pillows I made them back in February.  So I decided to make matching quilts starting with one for Piper.

#Heart of my heart #quilt for piper #pink and brown quilt #quilt
A close up of the center of the quilt

Riley and Piper Name Pillows

I found this small quilt on Pinterest:

Heart QuiltAnd made my version of it, just to see how difficult it would be to make all those appliqued hearts.  

Heart of my Heart Quilt

Easy Peasy.  Next step was to make the queen-sized version.  After making the applique hearts then piecing most of it together I found out that Piper was getting a full-sized bed so I breathed a sigh of relief and didn’t put that final border on. 

Most of the fabric came from Hobby Lobby.  But I also picked up a few pieces from our local quilt shop Tomorrow’s Treasures and Jo-annes.  I ordered the quilt backing from fabric.com in 108″ width so I wouldn’t have to piece the back together. 

I have a Bernina Activa 220 and love love love it. When I took it in to get it’s yearly maintenance, the owner of the shop said it was a great machine for “piecing”.  I didn’t quite understand what the reference was about until I actually tried to maneuver that full-sized quilt under the sewing machine’s arm. 

Heart of my Heart Quilt

I tried everything that all the blogs and pins recommended.  Rolling, folding, scrunching.  There was no way I was going to be able to quilt around all those appliqued hearts like I did on the smaller version.  So I quilted around the borders and the outline of the large heart and hand-quilted all the little hearts. 

Hand Quilted the heartsThe quilt blogs recommended a certain type of thread for hand quilting but I just used embroidery floss that I divided into 3 different pieces. And I made big chunky stitches. And some little petite stitches.  I figured it was my own design, might as well make it however I felt like making it!

And the moral of the story is, Riley’s quilt (and all future quilts unless I get a different sewing machine) will be lap size for when he’s watching TV and eating popcorn.  Can’t have too many blankets on the couch in North Dakota.

Label for Piper's Quilt

Heart of my Heart Quilt for Piper

And how did Piper like it?

Piper

 Heart of my Heart Quilt for Piper

 Heart of my Heart Quilt for Piper

 Piper

 

A Quilt for Tyson

 

A Quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabricI finally got a chance to finish Tyson’s quilt–and he’s not even walking yet!  Just kidding.  Tyson Hugo Green was born in May and I didn’t decide to make him a quilt until right after his birth.  I had several projects to complete before I could get to putting those little nautical pieces together. Plus I knew that he was coming to visit in November so I could possibly give the quilt to him then. But I’m really happy that it’s finished and it’s on it’s way to Tyson!

I decided to make a quilt for Tyson after I saw this adorable pirate fabric online and thought nothing could be better for a newborn swashbuckler living in Seattle.  And his parents just happen to have been married at the Seattle Aquarium.  (Not only did we get the full run of the aquarium, they had an ice cream bar rather than a wedding cake–yum! Riley said “best wedding ever”)

A Quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabric

I ordered the material from fabric.com and it’s all from Michael Miller “Out to Sea” line.  I started out loving the pirate fabric. 

A quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabric
How cute are these little guys?

 

The map was supposed to just be for the quilt backing but when it arrived it was my favorite. 

A quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabric
I love all the little whimsical details on the map.

I wanted to make it in the same style as I did for the Quilt for Willow that I featured back in May.  It requires some “fussy cutting” so I had to change around all my calculations just to put a piece of the map on the front of the quilt.  So worth it.  I should have ordered more of the map fabric but how did I know that I was going to like it so much?  I had to shrink the size of the quilt a bit so it’s 39″ x 43″, which is still an okay size for a baby quilt. 

So here’s the finished project:

A Quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabric
The front
A Quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabric
and the back.

The map fabric has longitudinal and latitudinal lines.  I’m a beginner quilter so this was a challenge to get the backing on straight.  All the quilting advice I read is to use a busy pattern on the back with NO OBVIOUS PATTERN so it won’t show any stitching mistakes.  While it’s not perfect, it’s not too bad.  Perfectly imperfect.

I put the quilt on the floor to get one more pic and Maggie decided that she needed in on the action.

A Quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabric
Maggie’s such a little ham.

One final picture…

A Quilt for Tyson with Michael Miller "Out to Sea" fabricThe quilt is on it’s merry way to Seattle.

Easiest DIY Tote Ever with Options

A few weeks ago I put the instructions up for what I considered the easiest tote ever.

Easiest DIY Tote Ever

With the intention of adding some instructions the following week for that tote with options. 

Not the easiest DIY tote ever!

But it took me a little longer to get it finished and write up the instructions.  So finally….

There are phone pockets on the inside, a key clasp, a large pocket on the outside and an applique.  I considered a water bottle pocket on one of the outside seams but didn’t know what size it should be.  I’m giving up plastic bottles which is another story that you’ll probably hear about someday.  So I decided against the water bottle pocket.

And here it is all finished.

DIY Music ToteI wanted something big enough to hold my portable music stand when I need to take it with me. Plus the bag needed to fit around my body since carrying that banjo and case, plus opening doors, takes both hands. (My happy banjo and case weigh 18 pounds–yes, I’m getting a workout every time I go out!)  Then I added the treble clef applique just because.

Here I am ready to go to the Accoustic Meetup (By the way, anyone in the area that plays an acoustic instrument is welcome to join us at the library in Crystal River.  Doesn’t matter what level you are–they let me join!  There are people that have been playing forever and people like me that have just started.)

Me and My happy banjo

And here are some instructions. 

You need two 19″ squares.  I used black denim.

Applique

The applique goes on the front.  I copied this picture from Pinterest, made it a little larger, then traced it onto the paper side of freezer paper.

Trebleclef
The website with this picture didn’t really go anywhere, just some picture forum. So I can’t credit anyone for it. Sorry person that created it.

AppliqueI used a piece of white denim just large enough for the applique and pressed Heat n’ Bond Lite on the back.  Follow the instructions! 

Then I put the freezer paper on the top of the white denim and pressed.  The waxy size of the freezer paper acts like a temporary adhesive.  Then I cut out the applique, peeled off the wax paper and the paper side of the Heat n’ Bond Lite and pressed the applique on the right side of one of those 19″ denim pieces.  A little off center but not too close to the edge.  I then did a satin stitch around the edges.  I wasn’t very pleased with the satin stitch this time.  The pattern was just too intricate.  I would probably do a straight stitch if I do this applique again.

Phone Pocket

Next I made the phone pocket on the wrong side of the other piece of black denim.  (I also added my name tag here, just in case I trip over my banjo case, crack my head, and forget who I am.)

Inside pocket

Pocket will be 8 1/2” x 5”

Cut fabric 9” x  10”.  I used left-over black and white Premier Prints fabric.

Fold the 10” sides up, wrong sides together and stitch ¼” seams on three sides, leaving an opening for turning on the long side.  Turn right side out.  Trim corners, press. Press ¼” under on both sides of the opening. Top stitch close to top edge, making sure you catch in the opening,  then ¼” away from top edge.

To mark the center–

Fold the pocket in half and press

Fold the 19” square of the main body of the bag and press

On the wrong side of the fabric, place the folded center of the pocket on the folded center of the bag, 6” from the top edge.

Stitch close to edge along both sides and the bottom.  Stitch 1/4” inch away from edge.  Stitch down center of pocket to make two pockets.

Outside Pocket

I added an outside pocket on the same denim piece that has the phone pocket.  This will hold my sheet music and maybe my iPad.  I put the folder in there just so you could see the pocket.  Black on Black.  Not very visible.  The outside pocket also covers up the stitching for the phone pocket.  Clever, huh?

Outside Pocket
Outside Pocket

This pocket will be 13″ wide  x 10″ high.

Cut  2 pieces of fabric, 14” x 11”  I used black denim on the outside and some black and white Premier Print fabric for the lining.  (Trying to use up pieces from old projects)

Put right sides together and stitch 1/2″ on all sides, leaving a small section open for turning.  Turn right side out.  Trim corners, press. Press 1/2” under on both sides of the opening. Top stitch close to top edge, making sure you catch in the opening,  then ¼” away from top edge.

To mark the center–

Fold the pocket in half and press

There should already be a pressed fold mark on the tote.  Now remember, this pocket goes on the right side of the 19″ piece of denim.  And make sure you put it the same direction as the inside pocket. 

Place the top of the pocket 5 1/2″ from the top edge.  Center the pocket on the 19″ piece of denim.  Top stitch the sides and the bottom then stitch again 1/4″ away from sides and bottom.

Main Body of Tote

Now you are ready to put the bag together.

I don’t like unfinished edges–even in this easy tote.  So I’m taking a few extra minutes and making French seams. 

Pin the two 19″ square black denim pieces together along the sides and bottom with WRONG SIDES TOGETHER.  (And make sure the pockets and applique are going in the same direction)

pin together

Stitch 1/4″ seams on the sides and bottom.  Now turn it inside out.  Which is now right sides in.  So confusing.

So now your RIGHTS SIDES ARE TOGETHER.  Stitch 1/2″ from all sides.  Turn right side out.  You have just eliminated all of those unraveling seams.  Yippee!

Next is the pleated bottom.  Fold the fabric in on both sides at the bottom 2 1/2″.  Then stitch across the bottom with a 1/2″ seam allowance.  I stitched twice just for added durability.

pleated bottom

Facing

This step is totally unnecessary. You can just turn under 1/2″ then another 1/2″ on the top and have a nice finished edge.  But I made facing. 

I used some more of that black and white Premier Prints fabric.

Cut two 5″ x 19″ pieces.

On bottom of both pieces, Turn up ¼” hem, then another ¼” for a ½” hem

And we are making French seam, again.  Put wrong sides together.  Sew ¼” on two sides.

Turn “wrong” side out (so the new seams are on the inside)  The right side will be on the inside

Sew ½” seams on the 2 sides.

Put bag right side against facing right side.  Match side seams.  Sew ½” along top seams. 

facing

Turn facing to inside.  Top stitch close to edge and 3/8” from edge. 

Strap for Keys

I hate having my keys schlepping around in the bottom of my bag so I made a strap.  

Cut 2 ¼” x 3 ½” fabric

Turn ¼ under on both short ends.  Stitch.

Turn ¼” under on long ends. Stitch.

Fold long sides together.  Stitch all 3 sides and top stitch the fold close to edge.

Put strap through circle and fold.  Stitch.

Place strap 3” below top centered on one of the side seams.  Stitch.

Stitch along the side seam from the top to the bottom of the facing on both sides.  This will help keep the facing down.  Your machine might not go through all those layers.  Mine didn’t.  Gotta acccept the machines limitations. 

Handle Strap

Cut 35 ½” cotton webbing for the strap.  Turn under ½” on each end.  Pin each end to the side seam on the outside of the bag.  The bottom edge of the strap will be 1 ½” from the top edge.   Stitch a box then an X in the box on both sides.

And that’s it!  Lots of instructions.  Hope they are clear, which brings me to another subject.  If you have actually read this, this far….

I’m considering not writing up these tutorials.  They take a LONG time and I’m always afraid that I’ve missed a step or wrote the wrong measurement. Even after making the project three time and re-reading the instructions a dozen times.  I think I’d rather be sewing, playing my banjo or sleeping.

There are all kinds of blogs out there that do a whole lot better on the directions than I do.  I’ll still show you my finished projects, plus use those blogs tutorials and credit them.  I’ll be happy to give you measurements and sizes and advice, just email me or comment and I’ll send them to you.  

Happy banjo and tote

Thanks for reading!

Kathy